San Clemente State Beach
Walk the sand north from the pier at low tide. The bluffs climb up striped sandstone, the water stays shallow and cold, and you'll pass maybe six other people if you go before 10. This is the beach you actually wanted.
- Address
- San Clemente State Beach, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
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San Clemente Pier
4.8★Walk · Heavy hitter
Walk the pier at 4 o'clock when the light sits right on the water and the fishermen aren't talking. There's a bench halfway out where you can watch pelicans work the swells. The walk back is when you realize why you drove down here.
Vine Restaurant & Bar
4.8★Dinner · Local favorite
Sit at the bar and order the short rib. The kitchen does the simple stuff right. By 7 pm the place fills up with people who live here, not through people. Come before that if you want to actually talk to your date.
Nick's San Clemente
4.7★Dinner · Heavy hitter
Nick's is the spot locals actually go to on Avenida Del Mar. Fish tacos that don't need the tourist markup, fresh ceviche, cold beer on the patio. The kitchen knows what it's doing. Sit outside, watch the surfers walk by on their way home.